Mechanical grade control

ABSTRACT

A mechanical device is disclosed for attachment to the mold board of a motor grader, which automatically controls the slope and depth of the grade to conform with a pre-determined slope and depth.

United States Patent 1 Livingston [451 Aug. 7, 1973 1 1 MECHANICAL GRADE CONTROL [75] Inventor: James M. Livingston, Orangeburg,

[73] Assignees: Herman E. Jackson; H. M. Mims,

Jr.; George S. Hill, part interest to each 22 Filed: Feb. 10, 1972 211 Appl. No.: 225,199

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,561,538 Curlett 172/4.5

3,052,997 9/1962 Holland 172/45 2,893,140 7/1959 Gurries 172/4.5 3,142,915 8/1964 Curlett et a1 172/45 3,057,092 10/1962 Curlett 172/45 2,913,878 11/1959 Rue 172/4 X 3,158,945 12/1964 Curlett et a1 172/45 3,678,885 7/1972 Ferguson 172/4.5 X

Primary Examiner-Robert E. Pulfrey Assistant Examiner-Stephen C. Pellegrino Attorney-Larry Harold Kline [57] ABSTRACT A mechanical device is disclosed for attachment to the mold board of a motor grader, which automatically controls the slope and depth of the grade to conform with a pre-determined slope and depth.

25 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PAIENIELAU; new

sum 1 or 2 FIG. I

For widening roads and for cutting shoulders for roads, a great dealof time and effort has been needed to set stakes along the side of the road in order to cut the grade of the road at a constant depth and slope. This invention eliminates the need for setting stakesby using mechanical means to control the depth of grade and the slope of the grade, using the previous road surface as a guide.

An object of this invention is a mechanical device for attachment to a motor grader containing a mold board which would eliminate the necessity of setting stakes along the side of the road. 7 1 Another object of thisinvention is to save time and money ingrading shoulders of a road. I

Still another object of this invention is to savetime and money in wideningroads.

' Another object of thisinvention isa mechanical de' vice for attachment to a motor grader that can be built and attached to presentday motor graders for a reason able amount of expense.

. A further object of this invention is a mechanical attachment to amotorgrader that will hold a constant slope for the mold board of the motorwgrade'r.

Another object of this invention is amechanical devicefor attachment to a motor grader that will hold a constant depth for the mold board of the motor grader.

Still another object of this invention is a mechanical device for attachment toa motor grader that will hold a constant depth and slope of the grade by using the previous road surfaceas a guide.

These and other objects and features of the invention willbe apparent from the following description and appended claims.

Briefly, the device for attachment to a motor grader containing a mold board comprisesa first adjustable mechanical means for varying the slope of said motor grader to conform with a pre-determined slope and a second'adjustable mechanical means for varying the depth of said'motor grader to conform with a predetermined depth. The first adjustable mechanical means comprises a sensing means, for detecting variations in the slope of the mold' board of the motor grader, and. a control means responsive to the sensing means. The sensing means comprisesa support means, a sensor, and an indicating means. The sensor may be a leveling bar, and the indicating means may be a valve connector. The first support means comprises a horizontal support, a surface detecting means, and may comprise a multiplicity of vertical supports. The surfacing detecting means may be a multiplicity of wheels. The control means comprises valve means, connecting means, and a mold board adjusting means connected to the connecting means, whereby the slope of the mold The second support means may comprise a second plate attached to the mold board and a second horizon tal support connected to the second plate. The invention further comprises pick-up extensions connected to the second adjustable mechanical means and under the first adjustable mechanical means. A pre-determined slope may be set by initial slope determining means, such as a jack. The pre-determined depth of the mold board may be set by initial depth determining means comprising a jack. A seat may be added to the device. The first adjustable mechanical means and the second adjustable mechanical means may be connected by a when taken with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a view of the right side of the device taken. parallel to first horizontal support 6.

FIG. 2 illustrates a view of the left side of the device connected to the mold board of a motor grader.

FIG. 3 illustrates an angular view of the right side of the device shown in FIG. 1, on which aseat 33 has been added.

FIG. 4 is a view of the right side of the device taken from the opposite side than viewed in FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows the right side of the device. Two wheels, 4 and 5, areconnected to a first horizontal support 6. First horizontal support 6 hasconnected to it vertical supports 10, 11, and 12.

First horizontal support6 is connected to second horizontal support 22by a multiplicity of hinged swivel;

of hinges and turnbuckles illustrates support connecting means. a

FIG. 2 illustratesthe far left end of the device. The far end of leveling bar 9 is shown to be connected via bolt 41 to valve connector 38 which connectsthe level-' ing bar 9 to the four-way valve 37Iwhich acts as a con: trol for the mold board 20. Leveling bar 9 acts asa sensor, and valve. connector 38 acts as an indicating means by actuating fluid flow in four-way valve 37. Four-way valve 37 has 4 inputs which are hoses 42 43, 44, and 45. Four-way valve 37 is connected via bolts 40 to connector 39 which is firmly attached to second plate 35. Second plate 35 is-firmly attached by bolts, such as bolt 36, to the left side of mold board 20. Surface detecting means comprising wheels 4 and 5, the multiplicity of vertical supports such as support 12, and first horizontal support 6, comprise a first support means. The first support means, the leveling bar sensor 9, and the valve connector indicating means 38, comprise a sensing means.

FIG. 3 illustrates an angular view of FIG. 1 on which seat 331135 been added. Seat 33 is connected to seat extension 34 which is connected to first plate 14. Seat 33 may be used to place a worker for inspection or other purposes. Pick-up extension 2 and 1 are connected to first plate 14 and extend under first horizontal support 6. When the mold board 20 is raised, first plate 14 connected to it is also raised, raising pick-up extensions 1 and 2, and also raising pick-up extension 3 which is connected to second horizontal support 22. Pick-up extensions l, 2, and 3 then pick up first horizontal support 6 in a manner so that wheels 4 and 5 no longer touch the pavement.

FIG. 4 illustrates leveling bar 9 held firmly between vertical supports 26 and 12. Connected to hinge 23 is upper adjustable turnbuckle 24, which is connected to hinge 25, which is connected to second horizontal support 22. Hinge 28, connected to first horizontal support 6, is connected to first adjustable turnbuckle 32, which is connected to hinge 29, which is connected to second horizontal support 22.

Jack 16 is firmly attached to first plate 14 and extends via jack extension 18 to large wheel 19, which rests firmly on the edge of the pavement. Jack handle 17 controls jack 16.

Jack 7 is connected to moveable support 13 and is controlled by jack handle 8. Jack 7 raises or lowers leveling bar 9. Vertical support 21 is mounted on first horizontal support 6 and is used as a back support for leveling bar 9.

This device may be attached to any motor grader. It is attached directly to the mold board of the motor grader. In this case, it is attached by the use of bolts. However, it could be made pennanently attached if so desired or attached by any other means. Leveling bar 9 extends from the far right side of the motor grader all the way across to the left side of the motor grader. Leveling bar 9 is secured on the right side by bolts 27 between vertical supports 12 and 26. Leveling bar 9 rests on moveable support 13, moveable support 13 being adjustable by jack handle 8. Leveling bar 9 then extends completely across the motor grader and is connected on the left side of the mold board as shown in FIG. 2. Wheels 4 and 5 run along the edge of the pavement. Jack handle 17 maneuvers jack 16 until large wheel 19 rests firmly on the edge of the pavement. By keeping large wheel 19 firmly on the edge of the pavement, mold board 20 is brought into such a position to give the proper depth to the shoulder of the road. Wheels 4, 5, and 19 are swiveled so that the device will move freely in whatever direction the motor grader, carrying mold board 20, is directed. Large wheel 19 illustrates a second surface detecting means. A multiplicity of wheels or simplyv a metal plate may be among the possibilities for use as a second surface detecting means. Second plate 35 andsecond horizontal support 22 comprise a second support means.

The slope of the shoulder is adjustable by use of jack 7. Jack 7 controls moveable support 13, controls the position of leveling bar 9, thereby, controlling the angle of the grade. Jack 7 may be adjusted for whatever angle of the grade desired. Jacks 7 and 16 illustrate adjusting means that may be used in this invention. Jack 7 comprises an initial slope determining means by setting the height for leveling bar 9 which through valve connector 38 and four-way valve 37 control the slope of the mold board 20. Jack 16 comprises an initial depth determining means by being adjusted by jack handle 17 so that large wheel 19 or other possible second surface detecting means may be pressed against the previous road surface to set the depth at the same level as the previous road surface. Both of these jacks can be adjusted and set prior to cutting the grade.

Leveling bar 9 by its connection with valve connector 38 to valve 37, controls the position of valve 37. The valve works on hydraulic principles and is a four-way valve. Hoses 44 and 45 provide a fluid flow from a hydraulic fluid source and sump on the motor grader. When valve connector 38 is moved by the leveling bar 9, valve 37 is actuated causing fluid flow through hose 43 or hose 42 to either side ofa double acting hydraulic cylinder on said motor grader which acts as a mold board adjusting means and which controls up and down movements of the mold board 20. Hoses 43 and 44 are connected to the mold board control (not shown), of the motor grader, which controls up and down movements of the mold board 20.

The multiplicity of hoses, 42, 43, 44, and 45 are connecting means. The mold board control (not shown) is a mold board adjusting means. The four-way valve 37, plate 35, bolts such as bolt 36, bolt 40, and connector 39, comprise valve means. The valve means, connecting means, and mold board adjusting means comprise a control means, The sensing means and the control means comprise a first adjustable mechanical means. The second support means, the second surface detecting means, and the initial depth determining means, comprise a second adjustable mechanical means.

Valve 37 and hoses 42, 43, 44, and 45 are arranged so that if because of conditions in the road the mold board goes up, the valve pressure changes and activates the control box to lower it to the pre-determined level. If conditions in the road cause the mold board to be lowered, then the changes in the valve pressures will cause the control box to raise the mold board to the predetermined level. This arrangement causes the slope of the grade to remain constant.

By using our device, there is no need to set stakes, thereby saving economically and enabling the job of cutting the shoulder of the road to be done considerably quicker. This device uses hydraulic and mechanical principles and does not require any electronic devices. It enables use of the motor grader to widen the road by using the old pavement as a guide for grading shoulders of the road. It enables use of the motor grader to grade shoulders for a road by using the road pavement as a guide.

While the invention has been described with reference with specific embodiments, the description is illustrative and is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Various modifications and changes may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as fimd. y Q1? wrest e claims- I claim:

l. A device including frame structure for rigid attachment to the mold board of a motor grader having mold board adjusting means thereon, for grading in conjunction with a previous road surface comprising:

a. a first mechanical means including sensing means adjustably mounted on said frame structure said sensing means having one end extending outwardly from said mold board onto said previous road surface, and control means for attachment to said mold board and attached to said sensing means, said control means responsive to said sensing means and connectible to said mold board adjusting means to enable said mold board of said motor grader to conform with a predetermined slope de pendent on changes in elevation of said previous road surface,

b. second mechanical means adjustably mounted on said frame structure and in contact with said previous road surface for applying pressure thereto, to maintain the depth of said mold board of said motor grader to conform with a pre-determined depth relative to said previous road surface.

2. A device according to claim 1 in which said sensing means comprises:

a. firstsupport means;

b. a sensor attached to said first support means;

c. indicating means attached to said sensor and indicating variations from said pre-determined slope in the slope of said mold board of said motor grader.

3. A device according to claim 2 in which said sensor is a leveling bar.

4. A device according to claim 2 in which said indicating means is a valve connector.

5. A device according to claim 2 in which said first support means comprises:

a. a first horizontal support;

b. surface detecting means attached to said first horizontal support.

6. A device according to claim 5 in which said surface detecting means are a multiplicity of wheels.

7. A device according to claim 5 in which said first support means further comprises a multiplicity of vertical supports.

8. A device according to claim 1 in which said control means comprises: i

a. valve means activated by said sensing means;

b. connecting means attached to said valve means and connected to said mold board adjusting means whereby said mold board adjusting means being activated by said valve means when said predetermined slope of said mold board is varied, said mold board adjusting means operably responsive to return said mold board of said motor grader to said pre-determined slope.

9. A device according to claim 8 in which said connecting means are a multiplicity of hoses.

10. A device according to claim 8 in which said valve means comprises a hydraulic four-way valve.

1!. A device according to claim 10 in which said connecting means are a multiplicity of hoses.

12. A device according to claim 10 in which said valve means further comprises a first plate attaching said hydraulic four-way valve to said mold board of said motor grader.

13. A device according to claim 1 in which said second mechanical means comprises:

a. a second support means connected to said mold board; 5 b. initial depth determining means connected to said second support means;

c. second surface detecting means connected to said initial depth determining means whereby said initial depth determining means can vary the depth of said mold board of said motor grader.

14. A device according to claim 13 in which said initial depth determining means comprises a jack.

15. A device according to claim 13 in which said second surface detecting means comprises a multiplicity of wheels.

16. A device according to claim 13 in which said sec ond surface detecting means comprises a metal plate.

17. A device according to claim 13 in which said second support means comprises:

a. a second plate attached to said mold board of said motor grader;

b. a second horizontal support connected to said second plate.

18. A device according to claim 1 further comprising a multiplicity of pick-up extensions rigidly connected to said mold board whereby when said mold board is raised, said frame structure will be raised also.

19. A device according to claim ll further comprising initial slope determining means on said frame structure 30 and connected to said sensing means to set a predetermined slope of said mold board of said motor grader.

20. A device according to claim 19 in which said initial slope determining means includes a jack.

21. A device according to claim 1 further comprising a seat on said device for attachment to a motor grader containing a mold board.

22. A device according to claim 1 further comprising a multiplicity of support connecting means connected 40 between said first mechanical means and said second mechanical means.

23. A device according to claim 22 in which said support connecting means comprises a multiplicity of hinges.

24. A device according to claim 23 in which said support connecting means further comprises a multiplicity of swiveled connectors.

25. A device according to claim24 in which said multiplicity of swiveled connectors comprise a multiplicity 50 of tumbuckles.

I III 

1. A device including frame structure for rigid attachment to the mold board of a motor grader having mold board adjusting means thereon, for grading in conjunction with a previous road surface comprising: a) a first mechanical means including sensing means adjustably mounted on said frame structure said sensing means having one end extending outwardly from said mold board onto said previous road surface, and control means for attachment to said mold board and attached to said sensing means, said control means responsive to said sensing means and connectible to said mold board adjusting means to enable said mold board of said motor grader to conform with a predetermined slope dependent on changes in elevation of said previous road surface, b) second mechanical means adjustably mounted on said frame structure and in contact with said previous road surface for applying pressure thereto, to maintain the depth of said mold board of said motor grader to conform with a pre-determined depth relative to said previous road surface.
 2. A device according to claim 1 in which said sensing means comprises: a. first support means; b. a sensor attached to said first support means; c. indicating means attached to said sensor and indicating variations from said pre-determined slope in the slope of said mold board of said motor grader.
 3. A device according to claim 2 in which said sensor is a leveling bar.
 4. A device according to claim 2 in which said indicating means is a valve connector.
 5. A device according to claim 2 in which said first support means comprises: a. a first horizontal support; b. surface detecting means attached to said first horizontal support.
 6. A device according to claim 5 in which said surface detecting means are a multiplicity of wheels.
 7. A device according to claim 5 in which said first support means further comprises a multiplicity of vertical supports.
 8. A device according to claim 1 in which said control means comprises: a. valve means activated by said sensinG means; b. connecting means attached to said valve means and connected to said mold board adjusting means whereby said mold board adjusting means being activated by said valve means when said pre-determined slope of said mold board is varied, said mold board adjusting means operably responsive to return said mold board of said motor grader to said pre-determined slope.
 9. A device according to claim 8 in which said connecting means are a multiplicity of hoses.
 10. A device according to claim 8 in which said valve means comprises a hydraulic four-way valve.
 11. A device according to claim 10 in which said connecting means are a multiplicity of hoses.
 12. A device according to claim 10 in which said valve means further comprises a first plate attaching said hydraulic four-way valve to said mold board of said motor grader.
 13. A device according to claim 1 in which said second mechanical means comprises: a. a second support means connected to said mold board; b. initial depth determining means connected to said second support means; c. second surface detecting means connected to said initial depth determining means whereby said initial depth determining means can vary the depth of said mold board of said motor grader.
 14. A device according to claim 13 in which said initial depth determining means comprises a jack.
 15. A device according to claim 13 in which said second surface detecting means comprises a multiplicity of wheels.
 16. A device according to claim 13 in which said second surface detecting means comprises a metal plate.
 17. A device according to claim 13 in which said second support means comprises: a. a second plate attached to said mold board of said motor grader; b. a second horizontal support connected to said second plate.
 18. A device according to claim 1 further comprising a multiplicity of pick-up extensions rigidly connected to said mold board whereby when said mold board is raised, said frame structure will be raised also.
 19. A device according to claim 1 further comprising initial slope determining means on said frame structure and connected to said sensing means to set a pre-determined slope of said mold board of said motor grader.
 20. A device according to claim 19 in which said initial slope determining means includes a jack.
 21. A device according to claim 1 further comprising a seat on said device for attachment to a motor grader containing a mold board.
 22. A device according to claim 1 further comprising a multiplicity of support connecting means connected between said first mechanical means and said second mechanical means.
 23. A device according to claim 22 in which said support connecting means comprises a multiplicity of hinges.
 24. A device according to claim 23 in which said support connecting means further comprises a multiplicity of swiveled connectors.
 25. A device according to claim 24 in which said multiplicity of swiveled connectors comprise a multiplicity of turnbuckles. 